HUNTSVILLE, Ala.– Lockheed Martin [LMT] Feb. 20 said it received a $92 million Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract in December 2013 from the Army to sustain the AH-64 Apache helicopter Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system.

This is the second of three one-year options that support the initial $111 million PBL contract awarded in 2012. The total four-year contract value is $375 million.

Apache Helicopter with M-TADS/PNVS On Nose Photo: Lockheed Martin
Apache Helicopter with M-TADS/PNVS On Nose
Photo: Lockheed Martin

The firm, fixed-price contract is the foundation for a comprehensive sustainment solution that enables M-TADS/PNVS mission readiness, reduces operation and support costs, and drives reliability and maintainability improvements, the company said in a statement.

“The M-TADS/PNVS PBL program provides critical sustainment support to Apache pilots conducting missions around the world every day,” said Mike Taylor, program director of M-TADS/PNVS international and support programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

Lockheed Martin is working on the second phase of upgrading the M-TADS/PNVS system, bringing a high resolution, high definition color day sensor, laser pointer marker and eye-safe lasers to the system that will be fielded. This system, demonstrated Feb. 17 here at Redstone Arsenal, is now flying and in test.

Earlier in February, Lockheed Martin received a $62 million M-TADS/PNVS sustainment and support contract for U.K. Apaches (Defense Daily, Feb. 6).

M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache helicopter pilots long-range, precision engagement and pilotage capabilities for mission success and flight safety day or night, or in adverse weather conditions. Forward-looking infrared sensors provide enhanced image resolution that enables Apache aircrews to prosecute targets and provide situational awareness in support of ground troops outside detection ranges.

Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 1,200 M-TADS/PNVS systems to the U.S. Army and international customers.

During its peak operational tempo of more than 200,000 flying hours, the M-TADS/PNVS PBL program averaged a worldwide supply availability rate of 98 percent.